Summer time bring many reasons for a road trip. Maybe you are just going on vacation or if you are a Military family maybe you are PCS’ing to your new duty station. What ever the reason traveling in the car with kids can make you lose your mind! Here are some great ideas to keep everyone happy in the car.

Plan ahead! Plan your route. Look for interesting places to stop along the way. Take your kids personalities in to consideration. Are they “morning people”? Do they sleep well in the car?

Bring activities such as a felt activity board lots of ideas on Pinterest. For the little traveler, new interactive books are a great idea. Crayons, washable markers and coloring books are also a fun activity. You can even print out coloring pages at Crayola.com. I think bubbles are a great bribe. Not for in the car, but to use at rest stops!!

Games are a must. How about license plate bingo or” I spy with my little eye”. Another great game to do with older children is ask a family member to Google a town or landmark you have passed and have them share some facts on that subject with you.

Make a map of your route. Make several copies and laminate the map, let everyone use a dry erase board to track your route. Use the map as a treasure map with a reward at every stop. Maybe bubbles!

Enjoy the family time. Sing songs, look at the scenery, share what you see in the clouds. How often do you have the chance to just talk with out all of those electronic distractions.

Speaking of electronic distractions bringing a portable DVD player or laptop along is also a great distraction. Hand held electronic games and tablets are also great sources for entertainment. Maybe a game of pop the bubble?!

Snacks!! So important for everyone in the car. Have family members create their own trail mix before you leave. Let them decorate the zip-lock bag or container so they know it is theirs. Pretzels, goldfish, raisins, marshmallows and M&M’s make a great start. Another great snack would be those pureed fruits and vegetables that come in pouches. My teenagers even like those. Water and clear juices should also be included.

Must have items. A first aid kit that includes any medications that may be needed on the trip. Zip lock bags, paper towels and wet wipes. Another great item would be plastic cups these come in handy when distributing snacks , crayons etc… A box of garbage bags is also a must.

You planned your route, printed out your maps, picked your activities, packed your snacks and are ready to hit the road! Remember to drive safely and enjoy the moment. Blow some bubbles!

I am sure many of you have great kid friendly travel tips you would like to share. Please share them in our comments section or on our Facebook page.

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MacDill Happenings is written to share information and events for those living in the MacDill AFB area.If you have something you would like to share with my readers please contact me via email.
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About Laura:

Laura has been a military spouse for over 28 years. Her and her husband have recently started "the next chapter" as military retirees. They have five children and live in the Riverview FL area. Along with writing the MacDill Happenings blog Laura is the Community Relations Manager for MilitaryByOwner.com